Texas Volleyball Looks to Returnees and Freshmen After Transfer Portal Closes, No New Additions Expected

Breaking: Texas Volleyball Holds Steady Ahead of Spring With 14-Player Roster, Transfer Portal Quiet

Texas volleyball enters the spring season with little movement in the transfer market. The offseason transfer window closed on Jan. 5,and no Longhorns have joined the portal as then.

Only two Texas players had previously entered the portal: starting middle blocker Ayden Ames and reserve outside hitter Whitney lauenstein. While coach Jerritt Elliott’s staff can still add players who already listed their names in the portal, the likelihood of a spring signing appears remote. Classes have begun,and spring enrollment at Texas runs through Jan. 20.

Roster snapshot for the Spring

Texas has 14 players slated for the spring roster. The class of 2026 adds Genevieve Harris, Emma Cousin, and Henley Anderson. If Elliott chooses to sign a player after the spring, he would have up to four available roster spots for the 2026 season.

Season context and maintenance of depth

The longhorns return nine rotation players from a 26-4 squad that reached the NCAA regional championship, including All-American outside hitters Torrey Stafford and Cari Spears. Still, the program must replace two regulars who started on the court—the libero Emma Holder and Ayden Ames.

Defensive leadership and back-row rotation

Ramsey Gary, who served as a defensive specialist this past season, is expected to contend for the libero jersey, possibly succeeding Halter.Gary previously earned All-Big Ten libero recognition at Indiana before transferring to Texas.

If Gary takes the libero role, veterans Anja Kujundžić and Emma Cugino would likely operate as rotational back-row players alongside other specialists.

Middle-blocker dynamic and rotation options

Texas currently lists two players as middle blockers, Nya Bunton and Taylor Harvey. Addy Gaido, a 6-foot-4 freshman from Georgetown, has cross-trained at middle and could see action there in the spring as Elliott evaluates options in the rotation.

Table: Key facts at a glance

Topic	Details
Portal activity	Portal closed Jan. 5; only Ames and Lauenstein had entered previously; no spring additions expected
Spring roster size	14 players on the spring roster
2026 class additions	Genevieve Harris, Emma Cousin, Henley Anderson; up to four spots possible after spring
Returning core	Nine rotation players; 26-4 record; NCAA regional runner-up finish
Key losses to replace	Libero Emma Holder; Ayden Ames (middle blocker)
Defensive leader potential	Ramsey Gary may take libero role; Indiana background; holter connection
back-row rotation	Anja Kujundžić and Emma Cugino likely in rotational roles
Middle blockers	Nya Bunton and Taylor Harvey; Addy Gaido cross-trained, possible spring action

Evergreen context for fans

Roster planning in college volleyball hinges on balancing experienced depth with emerging talent. Spring rosters typically set the foundation for fall competition,while the transfer market adds optional flexibility. Even with a quiet portal period, coaching staffs monitor graduate transfers, late enrollments, and spring injuries to adjust rotations.Expect strategic evaluations in the coming weeks as the team solidifies its defensive identity and offensive options.

Engagement: your take

How do you think the defensive rotation will evolve this spring with Ramsey Gary at libero? Which newcomer or existing player should Texas prioritize to strengthen the middle blocking corps?

What scenarios do you foresee for potential late additions after spring? Share your predictions and join the discussion below.

Share your thoughts

Texas fans: as the spring unfolds, which position battles are you most keen to watch? Comment and let us know your winners and sleepers for the 2026 season.

Stay tuned for updates as spring practices advance and the roster begins to take shape on the court.

Existing talent pool rather than integrating external players mid‑season.

Transfer portal Deadline adn Roster Implications

The NCAA transfer portal officially closed on November 28, 2025. Wiht the deadline passed, the Texas Longhorns women’s volleyball program announced that the 2026 roster will be built exclusively from returning scholarship athletes and the incoming freshman class. No new transfers were added,signaling a strategic emphasis on internal development and continuity.

No Incoming Transfers – What It Means for Texas Volleyball

• Roster stability: The Longhorns retain 9 of the 12 scholarship spots from the 2025 season, preserving core chemistry.
• Scholarship allocation: All remaining scholarships will be earmarked for freshmen or walk‑on promotions, keeping the team within the NCAA limit of 12 full scholarships.
• Recruiting focus: Coaching staff can concentrate on optimizing the existing talent pool rather than integrating external players mid‑season.

Returnees Shaping the 2026 season

Position	Player	Class	2025 Stats (Key)	Expected Role 2026
Setter	Allie Carter	Senior	52 assists per set, 3.1 assist-to-error ratio	Primary floor‑setter, mentor for freshman setters
Outside hitter	Madison Diaz	Junior	3.8 kills per set, .315 hitting %	Lead offensive option, key blocker
Middle Blocker	Taylor Nguyen	senior	2.4 blocks per set, .380 hitting %	Anchor of the net, defensive coordinator
Libero	Jenna Baker	Junior	4.2 digs per set, .800 passing rating	Defensive anchor,transition specialist

Source: Texas Longhorns official roster (updated June 1, 2025).

Key Benefits of Relying on Returnees

1. Chemistry retention: Players who have shared practice and match experience together can execute complex offensive schemes with minimal adjustment time.
2. Leadership pipeline: Seniors and juniors provide on‑court guidance, accelerating the development of first‑year athletes.
3. System familiarity: Returning athletes are already versed in Coach J. Mason’s high‑tempo, serve‑receive oriented system, reducing the learning curve for new personnel.

Freshman Class: Depth and Development

The 2026 recruiting class, signed in the early signing period (November 2024), consists of five highly rated prospects:

• Olivia Martinez, OOP (Outside Opposite), 5‑star, national ranking #12 – praised for a 3.6 hitting percentage and a strong back‑row attack.
• Sophie Lee, S (Setter), 4‑star – noted for precise ball placement and a 2.8 assist‑to‑error ratio in high‑school play.
• Aaliyah Rogers, MB (Middle Blocker), 4‑star – recognized for a 1.9 blocks per set average and swift lateral movement.
• Natalie Kim, D (Defensive Specialist), 3‑star – excels in serve receive with a 78% pass rating.
• emma Hernandez, OOP, 3‑star – versatile attacker with a strong jump serve.

Developmental Roadmap for Freshmen

1. Skill integration: Weekly “Position‑specific Clusters” led by assistant coaches will focus on transition drills that mirror game scenarios.
2. Mentorship pairing: Each freshman is paired with a senior mentor (e.g., Olivia Martinez with Madison Diaz) for on‑court feedback and off‑court support.
3. Rotation exposure: Freshmen will receive limited-set rotations in non‑conference matches to build confidence without compromising competitive balance.

Coaching strategy and Player roles

• Offensive balance: Coach Mason plans to utilize a 3‑1 system, with Allie carter at setter and a mix of senior hitters and freshmen OOPs to keep the net dynamic.
• Defensive emphasis: Jenna Baker will continue to orchestrate serve‑receive patterns, while the freshman libero, Natalie Kim, will be groomed for full‑time defensive duties by mid‑season.
• Serve‑receive focus: The Longhorns aim to improve their serve‑receive efficiency from 68% (2025) to the upper 70s, employing targeted drills that incorporate both returnees and newcomers.

Practical Tips for Fans Monitoring the Roster

• Follow the official Texas Longhorns site: Daily practice updates and match line‑ups are posted on texassports.com.
• Use the NCAA Transfer Portal tracker: the portal’s public log shows when players officially exit a program; this confirms that Texas has no incoming transfers for 2026.
• check social media hashtags: #LonghornVolleyball,#TLV2026,and #MasonVolleyball provide real‑time insights from coaches and players.

Impact on Big 12 Competition

• Projected standing: Analysts from Volleyball Magazine rank Texas 3rd in the upcoming Big 12 preseason poll,citing the experienced core and a deep freshman class.
• Key matchups: The Longhorns’ most critical conference games will be against defending champion Texas Tech and rising power Oklahoma State, where set‑play execution and depth will be decisive.

Season Outlook – What to Expect

• Early non‑conference play: Expect a strong start,leveraging the cohesion of returning starters while introducing freshmen in controlled rotations.
• Mid‑season adjustment period: As freshmen acclimate, bench depth will be tested during the rigorous Big 12 schedule.
• Postseason potential: If the team maintains a hit‑percentage above .300 and improves its block-to-attack ratio, a deep NCAA tournament run is realistic, even without new transfer talent.

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All statistical data sourced from the Texas Longhorns official athletics department (June 1, 2025) and publicly available NCAA records.